Chapter 2
Emmeline
Eight men.
Thirty-two of the longest. Most boring. Minutes. Of. My. Life.
The two-drink ticket situation had been blown just after date number four.
What was wrong with the men in New Orleans?
Had they all gone to the same school of arrogance and domination?
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated a rough and tumble man, especially in the art of passion, but not when you first meet him.
I didn’t need to be told that our first date would be in a fancy restaurant. I didn’t need the person to try to impress me with how much money he made.
“So do you like scary movies?” date number eight asked while I slyly glanced at the timer.
“Um, they’re fine.” I adored them. Give me a Poltergeist or even The Exorcist and I was a happy girl. Maybe there were some redeeming qualities about the guy. “Which movies are your favorites?” At least I was trying to interact, pretending I was interested. That was the concept of the event. Right?
His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “I love the slasher flicks, the bloodier the better. Especially when they go after a helpless woman.”
Was he salivating?
As he went on to describe a horrific scene that most normal people would at minimum look away from, my skin began to crawl.
Here I thought I was a touch macabre around the edges.
The last thing I needed was to worry about was waking up in the middle of the night with a butcher knife poised over my face. No, thank you.
Tinkle. Tinkle.
Oh, thank God. The bell.
“Lovely to meet you.” I managed a bright smile.
“Mmm… You too. I know we could make beautiful babies together.”
Oh, my fucking God.
As he moved from the table, I stole a quick glance in Kylie’s direction. She seemed to be having the time of her life, still enjoying the last seconds of her fabulous date. Why hadn’t Mr. Handsome come my way? Damn it.
Now on my third drink, I clandestinely marked a huge red X on the ‘no’ block for the dentist. Or maybe he’d been an optometrist. He’d had good teeth, lots of work done on them for his perfect alignment and sparkling white appearance.
As date number nine approached the seat, I realized I’d dropped my head into my hands.
“That bad, huh?”
The voice dripped of sensuality, deep in vibrato with a soft, rich tone that created images of passion long into the wee morning hours.
My knees were already clenched together, the deep core throb unexpected.
However, I crossed my fingers as I lifted my head, praying to God the man’s voice and physique matched.
Wow.
While dressed impeccably in an Armani suit, there was a ruggedness about him, perhaps because of the dark ink crawling along the side of his neck. A vine that gave off vibes of a venomous snake. Immediately, he had me wondering what other artwork he had etched on his gorgeous, muscular body.
“Let’s just say I won’t be ordering the wedding invitations.”
He unbuttoned his jacket as he burst into laughter, sliding into the seat as if he owned it. Leaning over, he placed his hand against the side of his face as if preparing to share a dark and sinful secret. “I’ll be honest with you. None of the women in the room have sparked my interest. Until you.”
The little flutter in my stomach was real as well as highly unusual. Even when men flirted openly with me, I usually felt little or nothing. That had also saddened and infuriated me. Or maybe I was worried that no man would ever spark enough of my interest to consider him the one.
Whatever that meant.
“Does that line work with the women you go out with?” I was coy in my question, bringing the wineglass to my lips very slowly. A technique I’d perfected years before. The slow motion allowed me to observe various aspects about the man.
He was wearing a watch that cost more than a first home.
His ring was black onyx and diamond, but not a school ring. Perhaps a family crest.
He was polished in his actions, subtle in his gestures, but I had the distinct feeling he was paying as close attention to me as I was to him.
The mystery man was also extremely handsome, well built with an aura of power.
He would do to share a coffee or drink with.
“I wouldn’t know,” he answered.
“And why is that?”
As he leaned over even further, I was gifted with the scent of his aftershave; rich in woodsy tones with a hint of citrus and cardamom, an intoxicating combination.
“Because I usually take what I want.”
Okay, there was his first mistake, but I wouldn’t hold it against him.
Yes, I’d been waiting for a man to say those words to me, but not just any man.
Maybe I was picky. I’d allow him one more before tossing him aside.
I leaned over, taking the moment of control.
“Then I must warn you. I’m not an easy woman to obtain.
I tend to… strike as a predator would do, leaving my victims immobile. Only then do I decide their fate.”
The moment of silence was priceless. A slow and steady smile crossed his face. “Highly appealing.”
“Well, then,” I continued, leaning back against the seat, a move to provide me with distance. “What do you do?”
“Let’s just say I handle situations others would prefer not to.”
The answer was fascinating. And somewhat alarming.
He must have noticed my look of confusion, his laugh creating another wave of tingles.
“I’m an attorney. I work very hard to help people out of… difficult situations.”
“Ah.” That made sense, although…
The bell went off and I sighed.
While he immediately stood, he leaned over the table, not so close I’d be alarmed, but with eyes sweeping over me offering promise. “Until we meet again. And I certainly hope we do.”
“Yes. We will see.” I held a slight smile, waiting until he walked away. If there was one thing about speed dating that surprised me, other than the shit some of the guys had said, was how exhausting the game was. And that’s what it was. All one big game.
I pulled out the score card, trying to decide if it was even worth my time with the guy. Oh, what the hell. At least I could tell Kylie I’d selected one of them. How many more to go before I could escape?
I closed my eyes, rubbing my temple, surprised I also had a slight headache. Maybe from consuming wine so quickly.
Sensing movement, I was already annoyed since the bell hadn’t gone off, indicating the start of another adventure.
“Look, buddy. I appreciate your eagerness, but I need a couple minutes.” I was trying to use my nice voice. However, the sound came out highly annoyed.
When I heard a dark chuckle, I almost thought the previous date had returned.
Until he spoke a few words.
In Italian.
“Attenta, piccola strega, il pericolo ti circonda.”
My eyes cinched shut while I processed what I’d just heard.
Be careful, little witch, danger surrounds you.
Was this… man kidding me?
“The last man who called me a witch had learned how powerful I was. Now, he’s currently residing in the Lafayette Cemetery where he regularly converses with Satan.”
When he chuckled again, even daring to drum his fingers on the table’s surface, I slowly lifted my head.
If steam could physically puff from my ears, it would be happening.
I gripped the edge of the table with both hands to keep from yanking my prized dagger from my purse and driving the blade between his eyes, or at minimum making a scene.
I snapped my head in his direction, sucking in and holding my breath. Even counting to five before I blew hair from my face and addressed the bastard. “What in the fuck are you doing here?”
Donatello Giovanni was my brother Jaxon’s best friend. He was also a high-powered Capo within the family’s regime, an enforcer with a penchant for violence. Or maybe just death. Considered one of the most dangerous predators in the syndicate, blood soaked more than just his skin.
Oddly enough, he had also been the man that after first meeting him, I’d made a promise to myself that I would marry him one day.
Of course, I’d been a child, not yet discovering that he was an arrogant ass.
He was completely casual about the moment, sitting back in his chair and swirling the glass his long, muscular fingers were wrapped around. “Ah, perfect little witch, the true question is what are you doing here? And without your guards?”
I tossed a laugh out as if his finding me was no big deal. How in the hell had he managed to do so? Had he been watching me the entire time? “You bastard.”
“Mmm…” He scanned the room while taking a sip.
“Number three showed promise. Until he showed you pictures of the kids. Now, number five was… Just horrific. I’m surprised there are so many repulsive men in town.
Is polyester still popular? At this point, I’m not surprised they are lonely.
Please tell me you don’t see anything in these… men.”
His expression of disdain was annoying as everything else about him. While the age difference between us wouldn’t ordinarily be a big deal given we were adults, he acted as if six years gave him the right to be a second father.
I leaned forward, fighting very hard not to launch my body over the table. It was a very good thing we were in a crowded bar. “I’m going to make this perfectly clear. Bubba. Get. Out. Now.”
Why was his jaw clenched more than usual and why was he allowing me to see the clear ridge of one of two weapons he carried? It wasn’t about intimidating me. He knew better. He was also aware of my skill as a marksman.
He’d been told to hunt me down.
“Bubba? I’m afraid I can’t do that, little witch.”
“Stop calling me a witch or I’ll put a dark and evil spell on you.”
“Il mio angelo, I would absolutely love for you to try. However, since I’m evidently Satan’s son, I doubt your spell will be as effective as you would desire. But the foreplay will be… tasty.”
Oh, the man drove me insane.
Not only because he was like a dog to a bone, but also because he was without a shadow of a doubt the most handsome stud muffin in New Orleans.
If not beyond. “I’m not your angel. In fact, I’m not your anything and you know that.
Now, get out. This is my night and I intend on enjoying every moment.
Without you. A third person on a date is considered very strange. ”
“You shouldn’t have ditched your detail. You know that.”
“I’m a big girl. I think I can handle a night on the town.”
He stood, immediately buttoning his jacket.
“I have my orders. I’ll be watching.” Before he turned away, I noticed another grin on his face.
He was loving the hell out of this. Was there nothing I could do on my own?
I was twenty-eight years old, for fuck’s sake.
I owned a business. I was by my own hand a millionaire a few times over.
That should provide me with clear autonomy in my life.
“If you interfere, you’ll leave the bar bloody and bruised.”
With quick actions, he was right by my side, leaning over until his face was mere centimeters away. “You seem to forget who and how important you are, little witch.”
His scent was exciting, musky and full of the man’s heightened testosterone. While I’d always thought him handsome, tonight he was close to befitting the term debonair with a deep burgundy shirt, a dark charcoal suit, and a tie other men might consider garish.
It was also last year’s Christmas present from me. He’d admired the Jerry Garcia tie I’d stocked in the Indulgence boutique and on a whim, I’d wrapped it up for a Sexy Secret Santa, which the family and the Capos engaged in every year.
With his eyes glimmering, he noticed what I was looking at, even adjusting the knot in acknowledgment.
Damn that man. Not only because of his sarcasm and innate ability to track me down, but also because he was far too handsome for his own good.
“How did you find me?” My demand was met with a twitch of his upper lip. I’d almost call it a sneer.
“Now, I can’t share all my secrets with you. You know that.”
The bell finally dinged, taking me out of my misery. “Then since I’m so important, I am easily able to tell you to get the hell out.”
“No can do.” His voice was gruff. “I’ll just be standing over there out of your way. Be careful. The predators are out to play. But don’t worry. I won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
He pointed to the wall near the entrance before grabbing his drink, refusing to provide me with an opportunity to issue a harsher command.
Oh, this was one of those times I could barely contain my fury.
My family had been controlling every aspect of my life since I was born.
Yes, I was a mafia princess. Yes, I realized danger could be around any shadowed corner.
I wasn’t a stupid woman, but my God, I was finished with feeling suffocated.